David Villa and Neymar, Barcelona's past and future, scored a goal each as the Spanish Super Copa first leg finished 1-1 at the Vicente Calderón. For both men this was a first competitive goal in a second competitive game at new clubs where much is expected from them and they have much to prove.

Their celebrations revealed as much. Villa scored against his former club to give Atlético the lead; Neymar, on as a second-half substitute, equalised. The conclusion will be at the Camp Nou in a week's time, possibly without Lionel Messi who was withdrawn at half time.

Villa had broken with current convention and promised before the game that, yes, he would celebrate if he scored against his former club. He was as good as his word. The goal came on 13 minutes and it was brilliantly constructed and effusively celebrated.

Atlético won possession seven or eight yards outside their own area and sprung at speed. Six swift passes ended with Villa releasing Arda Turan up the left wing. Diego Costa went down off the ball as he raced through the middle to join the attack but it did not matter. Arda instead slowed his run and clipped a perfectly weighted ball towards the penalty spot where Villa was arriving and he hit it right-footed on the volley into the back of the net.

Villa, like five of the seven players to play a part in the move, struck it first time and, while a still furious Costa turned to remonstrate with the linesman, Villa celebrated. It was hard not to see vindication in his shouts.

He had joined Atlético for only €2.1m, rising to a maximum of €5m if he stays for three seasons, in search of the minutes denied to him at the Camp Nou. Here he looked determined to make the most of every minute and make a point too.

A moment later the striker almost caught Víctor Valdés out with a long-range shot that went over the bar and soon he was racing to reach another ball, only to be closed off.

Barcelona had much of the ball but they were confronted by 11 men, there was no incision and they seemed stuck in a lower gear. By half-time they had not troubled Thibault Courtois. A Dani Alves cross that Alexis could not reach was a rare moment of real intent.

Barcelona had started without Neymar and Cesc Fábregas. Messi was instead accompanied up front by Alexis Sánchez and Pedro Rodríguez. None made an impact; nor did Andres Iniesta, recalled to the side.

Atlético were supremely well organised, as ever. The side who had defeated Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey were now beating Barcelona.

At half-time Messi was withdrawn to be replaced up front by Fábregas. The Argentinian had suffered a hamstring injury; tests will be carried out on Thursday. Fábregas was the target when Alexis tried to scramble the ball free after finding his run smothered by Courtois but Barcelona were still creating little. In fact, Atlético looked authoritative now and more ambitious, keeping possession well.

That sensation did not last for long. Barcelona began to move the ball more quickly and chances were created at last. On the hour Neymar was introduced for Pedro. The Brazilian was on but still not with Messi. Yet it was he who climbed at the far post to head in Alexis's cross seven minutes later.

Almost immediately Villa was dashing into the left channel to get on the end of a pass from Turan; this time his shot was stopped by Valdés. Courtois saved from Alexis and Barcelona pushed: for Atlético, the final 15 or 20 minutes were most uncomfortable ones.

There would be no more goals. It would be all about two men: the man who just arrived at Camp Nou and the man who just departed.